Parameter upgrade system

ABSTRACT

A physiological monitor has a sensor port configured to attach and communicate with a sensor. A processor board is in communications with the sensor port and has a board digital signal processor (DSP). Firmware residing on the processor board is executable by the board DSP so as to calculate physiological parameters in response to a sensor signal received from the sensor. Upgrade tools are individually attachable to the sensor port in lieu of the sensor so as to designate to the processor board which of the physiological parameters, if any, to calculate when the sensor is attached to the sensor port.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.16/247,316, filed Jan. 14, 2019, entitled “Parameter Upgrade System,”which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/757,925, filedJun. 4, 2007, entitled “Parameter Upgrade System,” which claims prioritybenefit to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/811,001, filed Jun. 5,2006, entitled “Parameter Upgrade System,” each of which is herebyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Physiological monitoring systems include patient monitors andcorresponding noninvasive sensors for measuring constituents ofcirculating blood. Such patient monitoring systems have gained rapidacceptance in a wide variety of medical applications, including surgicalwards, intensive care and neonatal units, general wards, home care,physical training and virtually all types of monitoring scenarios. Anoninvasive sensor having light emitting diodes (LEDs) transmits opticalradiation into a tissue site. A detector responds to the intensity ofthe optical radiation after absorption by pulsatile blood flow withinthe tissue site. Based upon this response, a patient monitor determinesmeasurements for physiological parameters such as oxygen saturation,pulse rate and perfusion among others. Advanced patient monitorsutilizing multiple wavelength sensors determine measurements for otherphysiological parameters, such as carboxyhemoglobin and methemoglobin,as examples.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A parameter upgrade system works in conjunction with a physiologicalmonitoring system to advantageously allow a manufacturer to stock anddistribute processor boards capable of measuring various combinations ofphysiological parameters without assigning a multitude of part numbersfor each of these possible combinations. Also a parameter upgrade systemeasily configures processor board firmware according to the desiredparameters. Firmware configuration of a processor board can be made at aplace of board production, at a place of board integration into a hostinstrument and at end-user facilities, such as clinics or hospitals.

A parameter upgrade system advantageously uses a relatively small updatetool that plugs into the sensor port of a physiological monitor so as tocustom-configure the monitor's processor board with added physiologicalparameters. Each parameter can be added individually by a specificupdate tool. Additional parameters can be added in future upgrades asuser requirements change. Upgrade tools can interface with variouscomputer platforms, referred to herein generically as PCs, and beflexibly programmed, uploaded and downloaded utilizing PC-basedmanufacturer and field applications. Accordingly, upgrade tools have theability to bring processor board firmware up to date and to capture andupload the history and status of multiple processor boards.

As used herein, “processor boards” refers to the hardware, includingelectrical and electronic components and circuits; and firmware orsoftware, or various combinations of firmware and software, includingalgorithms, programs, processes, procedures and data stored innon-volatile memory or otherwise, for interfacing to a physiologicalmonitoring system, communicating with an attached sensor or sensorsand/or computing, calculating or otherwise deriving physiologicalparameter measurements, among other functions. Although processor boardhardware and firmware are typically implemented on a printed circuitboard (PCB), one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that suchfunctions can be implemented in various forms on various substratesincluding flexible circuits, hybrid circuits and ceramic substrates, toname a few.

In an embodiment, a parameter upgrade system functions in conjunctionwith physiological monitoring systems that include low noise opticalsensors and pulse oximetry monitors, such as any of LNOP® adhesive orreusable sensors, SofTouch™ sensors, Hi-Fi Trauma™ or Blue™ sensors; andany of Radical®, SatShare™, Rad-9™, Rad-5™, Rad-5v™ or PPO+™ Masimo SET®pulse oximeters, all available from Masimo Corporation (“Masimo”),Irvine, Calif. Physiological monitoring systems also include multiplewavelength sensors and corresponding noninvasive blood parametermonitors, such as Rainbow™ adhesive and reusable sensors and RAD-57™ andRadical-7™ monitors for measuring SpO₂, pulse rate, perfusion index,signal quality, HbCO and HbMet among other parameters. The Rainbow™sensors and RAD-57™ and Radical-7™ monitors are available from MasimoCorporation, Irvine, Calif.

In other embodiments, low noise sensors are as described in at leastU.S. Pat. No. 5,782,757. Patient monitors capable of reading throughmotion-induced noise are as described in at least U.S. Pat. Nos.6,770,028; 6,658,276; 6,157,850; 6,002,952; 5,769,785; 5,758,644; and5,632,272, all incorporated by reference herein. Further, noninvasivesensors include multiple wavelength optical sensors, such as describedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/376,013, filed Mar. 1, 2006,entitled “Multiple Wavelength Sensor Emitters;” and physiologicalmonitors include noninvasive blood parameter monitors, such as describedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/367,033, filed Mar. 1, 2006,entitled “Noninvasive Multi-Parameter Patient Monitor,” both patentapplications assigned to Masimo Laboratories, Inc., Irvine, Calif. andboth incorporated by reference herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a general flow diagram of a parameter upgrade system;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of an upgrade tool incorporated with aphysiological monitoring system;

FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of an upgrade tool incorporated witha physiological monitoring system;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a parameter upgrade process;

FIGS. 5A-D are top, perspective, front and side views of an upgradetool;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of an upgrade tool;

FIGS. 7A-C are perspective, front and bottom partial assembly views ofan upgrade tool;

FIGS. 8A-B is a flowchart of upgrade tool operational functions;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of upgrade tool read functions;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of upgrade tool maintenance functions;

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a field application graphical userinterface (GUI);

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a manufacturer application GUI;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a network configuration for an upgradetool;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a wireless configuration for upgradetools; and

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a two-tier parameter pricing structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS General Description

FIG. 1 illustrates a parameter upgrade system 10 embodiment havingapplication programs 100 and upgrade tools 300. The parameter upgradesystem 10 as a whole controls, facilitates, tracks and documentsparameter additions and firmware version upgrades for physiologicalmonitors 201 and, in particular, for a processor board 200 locatedwithin the monitor 201. The parameter upgrade system 10 is usedthroughout the lifespan of the processor boards 300 to control whichparameters and which revision of firmware resides on the processorboards 200. This processor board lifespan includes the time frommanufacturing and functional testing to the time at a customer facility,such as an OEM manufacturer, and finally to the time “in the field” atan end-user facility, such as a hospital or medical center.

As shown in FIG. 1, upgrade tools 300 are hardware devices that providea functional interface to processor boards 200. Upgrade tools 300include a factory upgrade tool, a board enable tool, an end-user upgradetool and a demo tool, as described with respect to FIG. 4, below. Eachupgrade tool 300 operates independently from other tools and from theapplication programs 100 to perform a unique function or set offunctions according to its firmware configuration. These functionsinclude processor board firmware updates, parameter upgrades and thefinal enabling of processor boards. Upgrade tools 300 also retrievelogged data from the processor boards 200 they have upgraded.

Also shown in FIG. 1, a manufacturer application 110, configured to runon a PC for example, is used to initially configure the upgrade tool'sfunctionality and assign the appropriate type and number of allowedparameter upgrades and firmware version updates. The manufacturerapplication 110 also reads and reports on the current status of anupgrade tool 300. Further, the manufacturer application 110 collects anddocuments logged data from the upgrade tool itself as well as loggeddata that the upgrade tool collected from processor boards 200 duringupgrade sessions.

Further shown in FIG. 1, a field application 120, also configured to runon a PC, is used to read from and report on the current status of anupgrade tool 300 in the field, i.e. at an end-user facility. The fieldapplication 120 performs reading, collecting and reporting operationssimilar to the manufacturer application 110. The field application 120also sends collected data and status back to the manufacturer, such asby email or other Internet connection. In an embodiment, the fieldapplication 120 is not be capable of configuring an upgrade tool 300.

FIG. 2 illustrates a physiological monitoring system 20 including aphysiological monitor 201, a sensor 30 and an interconnecting cable 50having a monitor connector 70. The sensor 30 attaches to a patienttissue site 5, such as a fingertip. In an operational configuration (notshown), the monitor connector 70 connects to a sensor port 210 on themonitor 201. The monitor 201 operates in conjunction with the sensor 30so as to measure and display physiological parameters of a living being,such as a patient, as described above and in further detail below. Inparticular, the sensor 30 is in communications with an internalprocessor board 200 (FIG. 3) via a sensor port 210, so that theprocessor board 200 (FIG. 3) can calculate physiological parametersresponsive to sensor signals. In an upgrade configuration as shown, anupgrade tool 300 connects to the sensor port 210 on the monitor 201 soas to communicate with a processor board 200 (FIG. 3), upgrade processorboard parameters or enable the processor board, as described in furtherdetail below. A sensor port usable as an input/output port is disclosedin U.S. application Ser. No. 10/898,680, filed on Jul. 23, 2004, titledMultipurpose Sensor Port, which is assigned to Masimo Corporation andincorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an upgrade tool 300 incorporatedwith physiological monitoring system 20 (FIG. 2). The portion of thephysiological monitoring system shown includes a sensor 30 and aprocessor board 200. In an operational mode, the sensor port connector70 of the sensor 30 connects to a monitor sensor port 210, which iswired to the processor board 200. In this manner, the processor board200 communicates with the sensor 30 to receive one or more intensitysignal(s) indicative of one or more physiological parameters. Theprocessor board 200 also communicates with a host instrument (not shown)via an instrument manager 260 so as to display determined parametervalues calculated using the one or more intensity signals. According toan embodiment, the processor board 200 comprises processing circuitryarranged on one or more printed circuit boards capable of installationinto a physiological monitor 201 (FIG. 2) or capable of beingdistributed as some or all of one or more OEM components for a widevariety of host instruments monitoring a wide variety of patientparameters. In an embodiment, the processor board 200 comprises drivers230, a front-end 220, a digital signal processor (“DSP”) 240 and aninstrument manager 260. In general, the drivers 230 convert digitalcontrol signals into analog drive signals capable of driving sensoremitters 32. The front-end 220 converts composite analog intensitysignal(s) from light sensitive detector(s) 34 into digital data input tothe DSP 240. The DSP 240 has associated non-volatile memory (not shown)that stores firmware executed by the DSP, such as for derivingphysiological parameter measurements.

As shown in FIG. 3, the sensor 30 includes a plurality of emitters 32irradiating a tissue site 5 with differing wavelengths of light, and oneor more detectors 34 capable of detecting the light after attenuation bythe tissue 5. The processor board 200 inputs a corresponding sensorsignal and is configured to determine the relative concentrations ofblood constituents such as HbO₂, Hb, HbCO, HbMet and derive parameterssuch as fractional oxygen saturation, Hbt and blood glucose to name afew. For example, the sensor may be as described in U.S. App. No.11,367,013 titled Multiple Wavelength Sensor Emitters, cited above.

FIG. 3 also illustrates an upgrade tool 300, which can be programmed asa factory upgrade tool 401 (FIG. 3), a board enable tool 403 (FIG. 3),or an end-user upgrade tool 405 (FIG. 3). The upgrade tool 300 has a DSP310, nonvolatile memory 320, an information element 330, an I/O portconnector 340 and a sensor port connector 350. The DSP 310 performs thevarious upgrade tool functions, described with respect to FIGS. 8-10,below. The nonvolatile memory 320 stores upload and download datatransmitted to and received from the I/O port 340 via an externalcommunications path. The nonvolatile memory 320 also stores upload anddownload data transmitted to and received from the sensor port connector350 via the COMM communications path 270. In an embodiment, aninformation element 330 may be, for example, a Dallas SemiconductorDS2506 EPROM available from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., Sunnyvale,Calif., or equivalent. In an embodiment, IE NETWORK 250 comprises asignal conductor for transmitting and receiving serial data and acorresponding ground conductor. An information element network isdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/367,036, filed Mar. 1,2006 entitled Configurable Physiological Measurement System, which isassigned to Masimo and incorporated by reference herein. In anembodiment, the DSP is a SHARC processing device, such as available fromAnalog Devices. In an embodiment, COMM 270 is a bidirectionalsynchronous serial communications path such as implemented by one ormore SPORTs (synchronous serial ports) on a SHARC DSP. In an embodiment,the I/O port connector 340 mechanically conforms with and the signalscommunicated thereby electrically conform with the USB (Universal SerialBus) standard. In embodiments, the I/O port connector 340 maymechanically conform, and the signals communicated thereby electricallyconform, with any of many other serial or parallel, wired or wirelessinterfaces, such as RS-232, IEEE-488, SCSI, IEEE 1394 (Firewire), IEEE802.11 and expansions thereof and IEEE 802.15 (Bluetooth), to name justa few.

In an embodiment, the I/O port connector 340 mechanically conforms, andthe signals communicated thereby electrically conform, with the Ethernetnetwork standard (IEEE 802.3). Although the update tool is shown with asingle I/O port connector 340, the update tool 300 may have multiple I/Oports conforming to various interface and network standards. Further,the update tool 300 may have one or more wireless transceivers incommunications with the DSP 310 that conform to one or more wirelessstandards, such as IEEE 802.11 and expansions thereof and Bluetooth.

Further shown in FIG. 3, in addition to adding parameters to theprocessor board, the upgrade tool 300 can be used to update processorboard firmware and download processor board data. In particular, theupgrade tool 300 communicates via a sensor port connector 350 with aphysiological monitor 201 (FIG. 2) and via an I/O port connector 340with a digital I/O device. The digital I/O device may be a PC, PDA,cellphone, pager, computer-on-wheels (COW) to name a few, or otherdevice having a data memory and interface for communicating with theupgrade tool 300. In an embodiment, the upgrade tool 300 downloadsfirmware updates from a digital I/O device to nonvolatile memory 320 anduploads those updates to a physiological monitor 210 (FIG. 2). In anembodiment, the upgrade tool 300 downloads processor board data tononvolatile memory 320 and uploads that data to a digital I/O device.

Also shown in FIG. 3, the processor board 200 reads the info element 330to identify the upgrade tool as such. Once identified, the processorboard 200 provides power 360 to the tool. The tool DSP 310 thencommunicates with the board DSP 240 so as to identify the type ofupgrade tool, as described with respect to FIG. 4, below.

In an embodiment, processor board data includes measurement data,operational information or manufacturer information, which can beadvantageously uploaded to a PC or other digital I/O device connected tothe upgrade tool 300, as described above. Measurement data may comprisepatient data including raw sensor data and trend data for any one ormore of the measured parameters. Operational information may comprise,for example, dates and times of operation, total operating time, failurecodes and event information. Failure codes indicate, for example,processor board failures and host instrument failures. Event informationincludes alarm data, such as a probe off occurrence and parametermeasurements outside of preset limits. Manufacturer information maycomprise, as examples, service information, firmware version updates andparameter upgrade dates. Service information may include firmwareupgrade history and service history, including dates and times.Processor board data may also comprise processor board identification,operational information, service information and measurement data. Boardidentification may include serial number and current firmware version.In an embodiment, an upgrade tool may require a significant deposit soas to encourage return to the OEM for downloading the tool data and forreuse.

In various embodiments, the upgrade tool may be connected to both adigital I/O device and a physiological monitor; the upgrade tool may beconnected first to one or more digital I/O devices and then to one ormore physiological monitors; or the upgrade tool may be connected to oneor more physiological monitors and then to one or more digital I/Odevices.

Demo Tool

A demo tool (not shown) embodiment has only an information element 330and a sensor port connector 350. The information element 330 identifiesthe demo tool to the processor board 200 via the IE NETWORK 250. Aprocessor board 200 reading the information element 330 of a connecteddemo tool outputs simulated measurements for available parameters. Thisis particularly advantageous for a disabled processor board 410-420(FIG. 4), i.e. a board unable to output measurements for availableparameters until the board is enabled. In this manner, a customer orother user can verify that all desired parameters are available beforecreating an enabled board 430 (FIG. 4) with a board enable tool 403(FIG. 4), which locks-out further parameter upgrades with a factoryupgrade tool 401 (FIG. 4), as described below.

Upgrade Process

FIG. 4 illustrates a parameter upgrade process 400 where a processorboard 200 (FIG. 3) undergoes multiple upgrade stages, including adisabled board 410, a factory upgraded board 420, an enabled board 430and an end-user upgraded board 440. Multiple upgrade tools 300 are usedto transition processor boards 200 (FIG. 3) between stages, including adisabled processor board 410, a factory upgraded processor board 420, anenabled processor board 430 and an end-user upgraded processor board440, as described below. The upgrade tools 300 include a factory upgradetool 401, a board enable tool 403 and an end-user upgrade tool 405.

In an embodiment, to facilitate the control of parameters, the processorboard firmware associates a state with each parameter. Each parameterstate will track whether the parameter is “available” or not. Theprocessor board firmware will also associate a state to the entireboard. This state will track whether the entire board is “enabled” ornot. Disabled boards will not output measurement data for any parameter.Once enabled, boards will output measurement data for availableparameters only. Additional parameters can then be upgraded to theavailable state. The lifespan of a processor board can be broken intofour upgrade phases with regard to an example use of the parameterupgrade system, described below.

Disabled Processor Board

A disabled processor board 410 is a newly manufactured processor boardsthat has passed a function test and has been programmed with releasedfirmware. The released firmware is capable of measuring all parametersbut in this initial state, a disabled processor board 410 has no“available” parameters and is “disabled,” which means that no parameterdata is output from the board. In an embodiment, a functional test mayupgrade a disabled processor board 410 to have a default set ofavailable parameters, such as oxygen saturation, pulse rate andperfusion index. In another embodiment, a disabled processor board 410is shipped to a customer with no parameters available, and the customeradds the default parameters along with additionally purchased parametersusing one or more factory upgrade tools 401, as described below.

Factory Upgraded Processor Board

An upgrade tool that has been configured to function as a factoryupgrade tool 401 can be used to upgrade the disabled processor board 410to a factory upgraded processor board 420. This upgrade is with a singleparameter, such as HbCO for example. After this upgrade, HbCO isreferred to as being available. The board itself is still disabled andwill not output HbCO parameter data. During this phase, multipleparameters can be upgraded to be available. In an embodiment, adifferent factory upgrade tool 401 must be used for each parameter.Available parameters for unenabled boards 410, 420 can be verified in ademo mode using a demo tool as described above.

Enabled Processor Board

An upgrade tool that has been configured to function as a board enabletool 403 is used to “enable” the factory upgraded processor board 420 toan enabled processor board 430. An enabled board 330 is capable ofsending parameters to a host instrument. After the board is enabled, anyavailable parameters will be measured and output with the appropriatesensors. Once a board is enabled, it can no longer be upgraded with afactory upgrade tool 401. From this point on, only an end-user upgradetool 405 can be used to upgrade the board with additional parameters orfirmware updates.

End-User Upgraded Board

This phase represents the rest of a processor board's lifespan.Additional parameters can be added to an enabled processor board 430with an end-user upgrade tool 405 only and is designated an end-userupgraded processor board 440. In an embodiment, as with the factoryupgrade tool 401, a different end-user upgrade tool 405 must be used foreach parameter to be added. All available parameters will remainavailable for the remaining lifespan of the board. In an embodiment, anupgrade tool 400 also can be used during the upgrade processes describedabove to advantageously update processor board firmware to the latestversion and to retrieve various processor board data from one or moreprocessor boards, as described in detail below. The above describes butone example use of the parameter upgrade system.

Upgrade Tool Configuration

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate an upgrade tool 300 embodiment. As shown in FIGS.5A-D, an upgrade tool 300 has a case 510, an I/O port connector 340 anda sensor port connector 350, as described above. In the embodimentshown, the I/O port connector 340 is a USB connector, and the sensorport connector 350 is a 20-pin connector.

As shown in FIG. 6, the case 510 has an upper cover 610 and a lowercover 620, which are attached together with fasteners 670 to enclose acircuit board 630. The circuit board 630 mechanically mounts andelectrically connects the DSP 310 (FIG. 3), non-volatile memory 320(FIG. 3) and info element 330 (FIG. 3) and associated “glue” circuits,conductors and components. The sensor port connector 350 has a connectorblock 640, a clip 650, a shell 660 and a cable 670. The cable 670interconnects the connector block 640 and the circuit board 630. Theconnector block 640 provides pins for electrically attaching wires fromone end of the cable 670 and connector contacts for mating withcorresponding sensor port 210 (FIG. 1) contacts. The clip 650 provides afinger releasable hold to the sensor port 210 (FIG. 1) connector. Theshell 660 houses the connector block 640 and clip 650 and provides astrain relief mount to the case 510.

As shown in FIGS. 7A-C, a circuit board assembly 700 has the sensor portconnector 350 mounted to the circuit board 630 via the cable 670. Thecircuit board assembly 700 mounts into the upper cover 610 so that thecircuit board 630 is enclosed within the case 510 (FIG. 6) and securedby the fasteners 670 (FIG. 6) and so that the I/O port connector 340 andsensor port connector 350 are exposed.

Upgrade Tool Functions

FIGS. 8-10 illustrate upgrade tool functions, which include processorboard functions 800 (FIGS. 8A-B), tool reading functions 900 (FIG. 9)and tool maintenance functions 1000 (FIG. 10). Corresponding graphicaluser interfaces (GUIs) are described with respect to FIGS. 11 and 12,below. As shown in FIGS. 8A-B, processor board functions 800 involveupgrade tool 300 (FIG. 3) communications with a processor board 200(FIG. 3) via the COMM path 270 (FIG. 3) and the sensor port 210 (FIG.3). Processor board functions 800 include processor board authentication810, parameter upgrade administration 820, uploading processor boardfirmware modifications 830 and downloading processor board data 840.Processor board authentication 810 includes verification that a validprocessor board is connected to the sensor port. This verificationincludes transmission and receipt of an encrypted handshake 812 betweenthe upgrade tool and the processor board. This handshake is successfulonly if the upgrade tool recognizes the processor board 814 and theprocessor board recognizes the tool. Processor board authentication 810also includes board type determination 816 and matching 818 the upgradetool type, i.e. factory tool or end-user tool to the processor boardtype, i.e. a disabled board 410, 420 (FIG. 4) or an enabled board 430,440 (FIG. 4). If the processor board does not authenticate or there is amismatch between tool type and board type, e.g. a factory tool isconnected to an enabled board, then the upgrade tool performs no action819 with respect to the connected processor board.

As shown in FIGS. 8A-B, parameter upgrade administration 820 includesreading the available parameters 822 from the processor board andverifying the tool upgrade count 826. If and only if the tool specificparameter is currently unavailable on the processor board 824 and thetool upgrade count is not zero 827, is the processor board parametermade available. Otherwise, the upgrade tool performs no action 829. Theupgrade count is decremented accordingly 828.

Further shown in FIGS. 8A-B, uploading processor board firmwaremodification 830 includes determining if the tool contains a firmwaremodification 832, reading the board firmware version number 834 andreplacing the processor board firmware with the tool firmwaremodification 838 if and only if the processor board version number iswithin the range defined in the tool 836. The downloading processorboard data 840 includes transferring the processor board data into thetool and storing the data in tool nonvolatile memory according to aprocessor board identifier.

FIG. 9 illustrates the tool reading functions 900, which involvecommunications with an external digital device, such as a PC, via theI/O port 340 (FIG. 3). External device authentication 910 verifies thatan authorized external device is accessing an upgrade tool. Thisverification includes receipt and transmission of an encrypted handshakebetween the upgrade tool and the external device 912. This handshake issuccessful only if the upgrade tool recognizes the external device 914.Otherwise, the tool is non-responsive 919 to the attached device. Theupload tool data 920 transfers tool specific data to the externaldevice, such as described with respect to FIG. 10, below.

FIG. 10 illustrates the tool maintenance functions 1000, which alsoinvolve communications with an external digital device, such as a PC,via the I/O port 340 (FIG. 3). Tool maintenance functions 1000 includeexternal device authentication 1010, downloading parameter upgrades 1020and firmware modifications 1030 from the external digital device anduploading processor board history 1040 to the external digital device.External device authentication 1010 verifies that an authorized externaldevice is accessing an upgrade tool. This verification includes receiptand transmission of an encrypted handshake between the upgrade tool andthe external device 1012. This handshake is successful only if theupgrade tool recognizes the external device 1014. Otherwise, the tool isnon-responsive 1019 to the attached device. The parameter upgradedownload 1020 indicates the tool parameter and the number of authorizedparameter upgrades for that parameter. Further, if the external devicehas a processor board firmware update 1032, that firmware is downloadedinto the tool 1034. Also, any processor board data previously downloadedinto the tool from one or more processor boards is uploaded into theexternal device 1040.

PC Interface

FIGS. 11-12 illustrate a graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for a fieldapplication 120 (FIG. 1) and a manufacturer application 110 (FIG. 1),respectively. As shown in FIG. 11, in a field application GUI 1100embodiment, a PC provides an interface for a customer or end-user to“read” a factory upgrade tool 401 (FIG. 4) or an end-user tool 405 (FIG.4). In particular, a user can determine a tool serial number 1110, theremaining number of upgrades 1120, the tool parameter 1130, the tooltype 1140 and the firmware version 1150. The process is read only, i.e.the user cannot alter the tool or read other data stored in the tool.

As shown in FIG. 12, in a manufacturer GUI 1202 embodiment, a PCprovides an interface for a manufacturer to both read and modify a tool.The tool serial number 1210 can be displayed. The number of upgrades1220, the tool parameter 1230 and the tool type 1240 can also bedisplayed and modified.

Networking and Wireless Applications

FIG. 13 illustrates an upgrade tool networking application 1300. Anupgrade tool 300 interconnects a physiological monitor 201 via a sensorport 210 (FIG. 3) with a network 1310 via an I/O port 340 (FIG. 3), suchas an Ethernet compatible interface. In this manner, the upgrade tool300 can communicate with one or more digital I/O devices 1303, asdescribed above, or gain access to the Internet 1304. In an embodiment,when the upgrade tool 300 is connected to the physiological monitor 201,the upgrade tool accesses a central website via the network 1310 (or awireless connection as described below) and the Internet 1304 so as todownload the latest firmware updates, which are made accessible from thewebsite. These firmware updates are then uploaded to a correspondingprocessor board within the physiological monitor 201, as describedabove.

FIG. 14 illustrates an upgrade tool networking application 1400. In anembodiment, an upgrade tool 300 interconnects a physiological monitor201 via a sensor port 210 (FIG. 3) with a wireless transceiver via anI/O port 340 (FIG. 3). The wireless transceiver is compliant with awireless standard, such as IEEE-802.11 or IEEE 802.15 (Bluetooth). In anembodiment, the upgrade tool 300 provides wireless communications with awireless digital I/O device 1301. In an embodiment, the upgrade tool 300provides wireless communications with a wireless network access point1302. In an embodiment, the upgrade tool 300 also has a network I/O portin communications with a network, such as described with respect to FIG.13, above, and acts as a network access point for a second wirelessupgrade tool connected to a second physiological monitor 1303. In otherembodiments, an upgrade tool connected to any power source and a wiredor wireless downloads firmware updates or any other data and uploadsstored data while in communication with a manufacturer server or othersecure computer.

Tiered Parameter Pricing

FIG. 15 illustrates two-tiered parameter pricing for a processor board200, such as described with respect to FIG. 3, above. As describedabove, the processor board 200 has the capability to measure multiplephysiological parameters. As described above, a parameter upgradeprocess 400 (FIG. 4) provides a flexible pricing plan for these multipleparameters. In an embodiment, parameters can be made availableindividually to individual boards, providing processor boards that arecustom-configurable to fit customer needs.

In an embodiment, parameter programming can occur at a factory, acustomer or an end-user facility. Factory parameters 1510 includedefault parameters added to a newly manufactured processor board 200.Customer parameters 1520 include additional parameters added to aprocessor board 200 in conjunction with the incorporation of theprocessor board within a host instrument 201, as described with respectto FIGS. 3-4, above. End-user parameters 1530 include additionalparameters that are made available to an enabled processor board 200integrated into an operational host instrument 201 sold or otherwiseprovided to an end-user, such as a hospital or medical facility.

In an advantageous embodiment, a parameter upgrade system is configuredso as to provide a self-enforcing, two-tier parameter pricing structure.A first tier pricing 1540 applies to factory parameters 1510 andcustomer parameters 1520. A second tier pricing 1550 applies to end-userparameters 1530. As one example, first tier pricing 1540 applies a lowerprice for one or more of the available parameters as compared to thesecond tier pricing 1550.

A parameter upgrade system has been disclosed in detail in connectionwith various embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed by way ofexamples only and are not to limit the scope of the claims that follow.One of ordinary skill in art will appreciate many variations andmodifications. For example, in an embodiment, upgrade tools 300 (FIG. 3)spread firmware updates between processor boards in a viral manner, i.e.downloading a detected higher version firmware from a processor boardand uploading the firmware to other processor boards that have lowerversion firmware.

What is claimed is:
 1. A parameter upgrade system comprising: a physiological monitor having a sensor port configured to attach and communicate with a sensor; a processor board in communications with the sensor port having a board digital signal processor (DSP); a plurality of firmware instructions residing on the processor board and executable by the board DSP so as to calculate a plurality of physiological parameters in response to a sensor signal received from the sensor; and an plurality of upgrade tools individually attachable to the sensor port in lieu of the sensor so as to designate to the processor board which of the physiological parameters, if any, to calculate when the sensor is attached to the sensor port.
 2. The parameter upgrade system according to claim 1 wherein the upgrade tools each comprise: a tool digital signal processor (DSP); a sensor port connector that mates with the sensor port and provides a communications path between the tool DSP and the board DSP; an I/O port connector that provides communications between the tool DSP and an external digital device; and an information element that identifies each of the upgrades tools to the board DSP.
 3. The parameter upgrade system according to claim 2 wherein at least one of the upgrade tools comprise a factory upgrade tool having the tool DSP programmed to communicate to the board DSP to make a specific physiological parameter available to the physiological monitor.
 4. The parameter upgrade system according to claim 3 wherein at least one of the upgrade tools comprise a board enable tool having the tool DSP programmed to enable the board DSP to calculate available physiological parameters to be displayed by physiological monitor.
 5. The parameter upgrade system according to claim 4 wherein at least one of the upgrade tools comprise an end-user tool having the tool DSP programmed to communicate to the board DSP to add available physiological parameters after the board DSP has been enabled.
 6. The parameter upgrade system according to claim 5 wherein at least one of the upgrade tools comprise a demo tool to indicate to the board DSP to verify available parameters.
 7. The parameter upgrade system according to claim 6 further comprising a manufacturer application executing on the PC and in communications with the tool DSP via the I/O port connector, wherein the manufacturer application programs the tool DSP with at least one of a tool parameter and a number of parameter updates that can be made with the tool.
 8. The parameter upgrade system according to claim 7 further comprising a field application executing on a PC and in communications with the tool DSP via the I/O port connector, wherein the field application displays on the PC at least one of the tool parameter and the number of parameter updates that can be made with the tool.
 9. A parameter upgrade method comprising: providing a physiological monitor having a sensor port configured to communicate with a sensor so as to calculate a plurality of parameters associated with a physiological state of a living being; configuring the sensor port so as to communicate with any of a plurality of upgrade tools in lieu of the sensor; and attaching a first upgrade tool to the sensor port so as to communicate to the monitor which of the parameters should be made available for output by the monitor.
 10. The parameter upgrade method according to claim 9 further comprising attaching a demo tool to the sensor port so as to communicate to the monitor to verify available parameters.
 11. The parameter upgrade method according to claim 10 further comprising attaching an enable tool to the sensor port so as to communicate to the monitor to enable output measurement data for the available parameters.
 12. The parameter upgrade method according to claim 11 further comprising attaching a second upgrade tool to the sensor port so as to communicate to the monitor additional ones of the parameters that should be made available for output by the monitor.
 13. The parameter upgrade method according to claim 12 further comprising disabling the use of the first upgrade tool with the monitor after the enable tool has been attached to the monitor.
 14. The parameter upgrade method according to claim 13 further comprising configuring an I/O ports on at least one of upgrade tools to provide communications between the at least one upgrade tool and an external digital device.
 15. The parameter upgrade method according to claim 14 further comprising: interfacing a PC to the I/O port; and executing a manufacturing application on the PC so as to program the at least one upgrade tool with one of the parameters that can be made available to the monitor.
 16. The parameter upgrade method according to claim 14 further comprising executing a field application on the PC so as to read from the at least one upgrade tool the one of the parameters that can be made available to the monitor.
 17. A parameter upgrade method comprising: providing a processor board having a sensor port that is adapted to communicate with a physiological sensor, the processor board capable of calculating a plurality of physiological parameters in response to a sensor signal received from the sensor; making a first set of the parameters available to the processor board via a first upgrading set of sensor port communications so that the processor board is configured to calculate the first set of parameters in response to the sensor signal; and enabling the available first set of parameters via an enable sensor port communications so that the processor board will calculate and output the available first set of parameters in response to the sensor signal.
 18. The parameter upgrade method according to claim 17 further comprising making available a second set of the parameters to the processor board via a second upgrading sensor port communications so that the processor board will calculate and output the second set of the parameters in response to the sensor signal.
 19. The parameter upgrade method according to claim 18 further comprising verifying the available first set of parameters by a processor board simulation that generates simulated outputs of available parameters.
 20. The parameter upgrade method according to claim 19 wherein the making a first set of the parameter available comprises: programming a first tool with a specific parameter of the first set of parameters and an upgrade count; connecting the first tool to the sensor port so as to communicate to the processor board to indicate that the specific parameter is available; and decrementing the upgrade count. 